Good Friday - Holy Saturday 2010

"He descended into Hell".
Sometimes referred to as "the harrowing of Hell". "Harrowing" is an Old English word for "robbing". Think of it as Jesus stealing away those souls long awaiting their redemption.

When we repeat these words in the Apostles Creed, what is it that we are professing?
This "hell" is not our Christian concept of eternal damnation. It is the Jewish concept of Hades or Sheol. Jesus went there to liberate the righteous ones who lived for justice and died before Jesus Himself had lived. Jesus rose to free them. The Gospel is preached beyond the limits of space and time.

Greek Orthodox Christianity believes that Christ does not rise alone but as head of all the holy ones, for how could the justice of God be established by exclusive treatment for him rather than by a community with him?

...so, in silence, we wait for the Victory celebration of Easter morn.

Pax et Bonum